HL2 Map Mosaic

I need to figure out something to do with these walls, grrrr

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Signature? What signature!?

It's cool what ppl think out.

Doc, are you going to distribute the final vmf file aswell? Would be great to see what solutions other have done.

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HL2 tutorials 'n' stuff: http://madedog.pri.ee
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yes, I want to share the VMF with the community.

Heh well I basically shared all the stuff in my part already hint cough prefabs*

I wasn't too sure about this but it looks like its coming on nicely.
Are you planning on touching up/going over each mosaic after it is done
to help out with consistency, ensure it all has good clip brush use,
etc...? I've signed up for area 3, so I'll get working on it after some
sleep me thinks :smile:

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[img]http://card.mygamercard.net/sig/Default/reno84.png[/img]
Designer @ Haiku Interactive | ReNo-vation.net

Well, I just finished up my section, but I'm not sure if it will make it into the first mosaic. I hope so.

I'm a novice mapper so I was pretty happy with the results.



I can't wait to walk from area to area.

It's nice but I still think the light color is pretty ugly.

And i've almost finished my section, just have to add some more
side-shafts. BTW, the gateways are outside the actual construction
area. Are we supposed to link our areas via doors to the gateways or
build our doors IN them (thinking they're frames which tell you how and where to make the links to the other areas)?

Morph your section looks great! There were some issues when I
lined it up with the other sections but thats not a big deal. I
havn't seen it in game yet but from the pics and andrei's comment I may
add a light or two, but over all you got the theme perfect.

ReNo, yes I'm going over each section and fixing small errors, adding
things, smoothing out gameplay, adding clip brushes, etc. The
main factor is basicaly the gateways, I have to work each one out so
the areas blend well.

I now have sections, 2,5,7,9, and 10. I'm going to add them all
to the beta map becuase I like trapt and morphien's maps so much.
Expect an update around monday.

Gee, Thanks.

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I seem to have done toilet on your floor

Our map didn't exactly fail or succeed, but it took months to look as great as it does. I am not trying to dampin the festivities here guys, but.. this map seems to be coming together a bit to fast. take some advice from an old hand, slow down and put some pride into it.

Its gonna look like one of those Frankenstein maps if you do not. Ours is still incomplete, but it meshes so well it looks like one person made it all..

give it some thought.

/ 2 cents.

oh and BTW, I cannot wait to see a beta version.. send the .bsp my was ASAP.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

I understand your point Orph, but as far as I see it, it's actually MEANT to look like it's made by different people. It's not really meant to make sense. That's what I thought anyway.

On the subject of how long it took to make it, I partially agree. My area, however, took about 2 weeks to make. I think 2 weeks on a small area is plenty of time to make it look nice and detailed.

I also can't wait for the beta. Really looking forward to it. But I would like to know how you are creating the beta without all the areas. Looking forward to it anyway.

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I seem to have done toilet on your floor

Trapt said:
I understand your point Orph, but as far as I see it, it's actually MEANT to look like it's made by different people. It's not really meant to make sense. That's what I thought anyway.

Yes, I understand that but I keep reading bits and bobs about "fixing' and other such descriptive terms that signify "minor errors.

Our map had little or no such errors because each author was responsible to assure that none existed. Ours was not error free, that is highly improbable with so many people but ours was kept to a minimum.

My only reason for posting was to say "SLOW DOWN GUYS" not that it was supposed to look sanitized. :razz:

anyways, its your project. perhaps it will see fruition and be the first to do so.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

Yeah. :smile:

I think the minor errors are just things such as people going a bit too far over the boundaries and stuff, which he just needs to clip. It's sort of hard to know if you've made an error when you can't see the other areas of the map, if you know what I mean. So yeah, nothing major afaik.

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I seem to have done toilet on your floor

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting Trapt</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>Yeah. :smile:

I think the minor errors are just things such as people going a bit too far over the boundaries and stuff, which he just needs to clip. It's sort of hard to know if you've made an error when you can't see the other areas of the map, if you know what I mean. So yeah, nothing major afaik.</DIV></DIV>

You are constructing under the premise that one person will place/install/add each of the rest of the teams sections.

Can this work? yup.
Will it work? I am skeptical. No offense, but the persons with the most experiences with multiple author maps is not the one doing so.

Ours is in limbo.. A situation I hope to remedy soon (time is my only enemy now the map is 99.9% structurally completed) BUT our map was build by each member in turn, and was the better for being so IMO.

Still, as I said, all I wanted to say was to slow down. This isn't a race. there are no prizes for finishing first. You will all find out one thing even if this one fails too.. It is so much fun just being part of a project of this nature.. stretch it out and enjoy it.

Might I ask, just how many here have even seen "Spit"???

I have our beta5 version available if you guys still have HL1 installed.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

I agree with all of that. But because your map is 'built by each member in turn, and was the better for being so IMO' it would take a long time for each member to complete, whereas if all people make their area at once and are added together, it is completed in a short timeframe, but presents more errors and such.

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I seem to have done toilet on your floor

I have a question:

The gateways, will they have white light coming from them e.g. a
func_illusionary with white textures to give it a glow or will you be
able to see straight into the other area with ease....?

I really hope a beta is made on 'Monday' and not after because I have less time everyday to go online!

Anyone wanna host the beta on a server?

"SLOW DOWN GUYS" :razz:

Funny, that's exactly what I was thinking the other day. Mosaic #1 is
coming together way too fast and that makes me wonder wether the
sections aren't actually unpolished detailess cube fests full of holes. I
don't know since I haven't seen much of the areas in development (apart
from morph's, which looks OK). For Christ's sake, slow down, add detail
(but don't go overboard), polish the layout, look for bugs etc rather
than rushing to be first to add their bit to the mosaic. I for one am
taking my time in finishing my bit (better a cool flawless area for
mosaic 12 rather than a bug filled wh*re in mosaic 1, IMHO). :cool:

I think the premise behind the project here is quite different the
group map we did before Orph. While there are definately benefits to
passing the map around a team (several times if necessary), this mosaic
idea just gives you a really small and simple task you can do whenever
it suits you. There is no pressure, no responsibility. Will the
resulting maps be as good? I doubt it. Will they actually be released?
Definately. I think the focus here is on letting mappers put together a
room and have it mean something. Its all too easy for us mappers to
knock up a room or beginning of a map and see it lead to nothing -
abandoned and forgotten. This mosaic project lets you build just one
room and still have it get out there into the scene. I think its also a
great opportunity for less experienced mappers to gain that experience.
Building one room is far easier than building an entire map. Finally,
if the sources are released with each mosaic, then I think it will let
these inexperienced mappers look at how the veteran contributers built
their areas and learn a lot.

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[img]http://card.mygamercard.net/sig/Default/reno84.png[/img]
Designer @ Haiku Interactive | ReNo-vation.net

I agree Duncan. I wasn't trying to rain on the parade.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

You can look at the maps made so far on his site!

Which reminds me:

HEY DOC, don't forget to sign me up for the next mosaic with area 10. :biggrin:

Yeah I definitely felt some pressure to get my section done. I
didn't want to have spent all the time I did on it only to have to wait
months for everyone else in the next mosaic to get their stuff
done. At the same time, it just made me put more time in earlier,
not cut any corners. I'm fairly happy with my section because as
a novice mapper its the first thing (albeit small) that I actually
finished. And this is where I think ReNo is spot on with his
assessment of the project.

As for the lights in my map -- I knew they weren't the strongest part
of my map, but at the same time I felt the "yelllow" overhead lights
captured the dirty feel of an (semi-abandoned) indoor pool. I
kept trying to think of other ways to add light variation. I
wanted to have the nice warm lighting of a fire, but that didn't make
any sense. Accept for the green glow of an exit sign (which I
didn't end up adding) I couldn't think of anything new for the
lighting. I'd definitely appreciate ideas now or during the
beta.

Doc, I'd request that aside from adding a couple lights you think are
necessary, if you could just keep the lights the way they are now, so
during beta test we can get some feedback. If people start puking
all over their keyboards and avoiding my section, then we can make some
changes. It may be hard to judge from the screenshots
alone. Or maybe they are just terrible. We'll see in beta.

I'll join this if habboi redoes his "contribution."

How about never :razz:
I made mine months before this thread was made but then the idea was never made!

I was angry and furious, I then saw the idea 'I' made asked to be done again so I just pasted my part straight away!

I wanted to keep it the same and thus here it is :smile:

Cassius said:
I'll join this if habboi redoes his "contribution."

Considering the very nature of this event, you are asking a bit much just to have your participation Cass. There are better and worse mappers than you not including the stipulation. shrugs tis your call however.

Considering his past, it does kinda leave a bad taste in my mouth saying all that. Never thought I'd be defending Habboi. :/

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The best things in life, aren't things.

It shows you have a good side!

Besides Cassius if that was a remark joke then :smile:

If not then oh well :sad:

habboi said:
It shows you have a good side!

There has never been any doubt of that though. If you are just now finding this out, you are indeed one of the slower people here. :/

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The best things in life, aren't things.

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting Orpheus</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>If you are just now finding this out, you are indeed one of the slower people here. :/</DIV></DIV>

Well, Orph, if you're just finding that out, you're the slowest.

I think I'll join up regardless of the phallic fixations of my workers-with. Reppin' area one, Glass.

Cassius said:
<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting Orpheus</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>If you are just now finding this out, you are indeed one of the slower people here. :/

Well, Orph, if you're just finding that out, you're the slowest.

</div></div>
Touch? :smile:

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The best things in life, aren't things.

Some images in this post have been automatically down-sized, click on them to view the full sized versions:

WIP of my area. I'm ditching these snow textures. Definately not what I had in mind.

wow! nice CJ

ok lets clear some stuff up.

I want this project to be open to everyone. Some of the maps I
have so far were made by people who arn't the best mappers, sure.
They had a number of problems that they, as a novice mapper, would not
catch.

Also, I think that the skill levels of each of the areas will only add
to the mosaic. Players may not like the section, but they will
see the contrast of "good" mappers and "not-so-good" mappers.

@cass, if you dont think his area isn't very good it will only make your area look better :wink:

Also, <span style="color: gold;">I am not taking applications on the forums!
I just cant keep up with it, you have to show me that you are serious
by sending me a very simple e-mail. If you cant do that then the
mosaic may not be a good idea for you.

sign up here

</span>

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting DrGlass</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>
ok lets clear some stuff up.
<SPAN style="COLOR: gold">
</SPAN></DIV></DIV>

OK, lets let "Me' clear things up. How would you like to be me and be the worse mapper on a team, yet in charge of the whole thing cause it was my brainstorm? THATS how it is with Spit 1. :sad:

i WASN'T RAINING ON THE PROJECT GUYS! I was only pointing out that everyone seems to be in a rush to get finished. Slow down, and smell the coffee.

Don't make me regret passing on sagely advice, it could always be... withheld. :/

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The best things in life, aren't things.

DrGlass said:
ok lets clear some stuff up.
<span style="color: gold;">
</span>

OK, lets let "Me' clear things up. How would you like to be me and
be the worse mapper on a team, yet in charge of the whole thing cause
it was my brainstorm? THATS how it is with Spit 1. :sad:

i WASN'T RAINING ON THE PROJECT GUYS! I was only pointing out that
everyone seems to be in a rush to get finished. Slow down, and smell
the coffee.

Don't make me regret passing on sagely advice, it could always be... withheld. :/

nononon orph, I'm not upset I understand your advice and I'm happy your giving it.

I dont want people to rush to finish their map, but I'm not going to
tell people that their area isn't "done" (unless it really isn't
done). I say on the site that you can take as much time as you'd
like, but if some one else finishes their area before you then you'll
just have to wait a little longer to see your map in the next mosaic.

Also, I plan to be the person who puts it all together. I'll do
the alpha testing and make sure I've gotten all the kinks out, baiscaly
all I do to any map is make sure the gateways match up with the next
area (for instance trapt has arch gateways and the next person may have
square ones, I'd just make sure they blend well enough so easch of the
gateways allow players to enter and exit.

I'm also thinking about (in a few months) putting the favorite areas together into the "best of" mosaic map.

Oh, also, personaly I think that if the mapper knows what he is doing a
room of this size 1024x1024x512 could be finished in less than a
week. I'm not sure how spit was done, but with mosaic its a very
small undertaking for each member. Not to say that I dont want
people to really put some love and care into their map but I made my
area (area2) for the last mosaic in about 2 days, so I figure a week
with some solid mapping time would be more than enough time for most
mappers to come up with something quite good.

thanks for the concern and the support.

just incase anyone is wondering(I'll post this else where too): You
dont need to rush! You map will get into the mosaic no matter
when you finish it, take your time and make something you will be proud
of.

Well, it's Monday night (aussie time anyway), and still nothing. Any news or updates?

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I seem to have done toilet on your floor

It's Monday midday :biggrin: GMT +2 hours :biggrin: And NO news yet :biggrin:

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HL2 tutorials 'n' stuff: http://madedog.pri.ee
217.159.236.34:27050 - CSS Server - Clean | koffer.ee

Its 5 a.m Monday and, you two make my head hurt. :wink:

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The best things in life, aren't things.

Ah, crap. Dr. Glass is from USA. I guess that means it'll be coming out Tuesday afternoon for me. :razz:

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I seem to have done toilet on your floor

Ah, crap. Dr. Glass is from USA. I guess that means it'll be coming out Tuesday afternoon for me. :razz:

sucker! It compiles as I type, infact its done.

test, zip, post, enjoy

Awesome. :biggrin:

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I seem to have done toilet on your floor

Cool :biggrin:

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HL2 tutorials 'n' stuff: http://madedog.pri.ee
217.159.236.34:27050 - CSS Server - Clean | koffer.ee

Is it released yet?

...

Well, do you see a thing saying "BETA IS OUT, HERE IS THE DOWNLOAD LINK"?

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I seem to have done toilet on your floor

:biggrin: I am not very sure it takes so much time to compile this... afterall
he hasn't got all the pieces yet... so probably it should be ready
though...

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HL2 tutorials 'n' stuff: http://madedog.pri.ee
217.159.236.34:27050 - CSS Server - Clean | koffer.ee

Until a download link reaches my Pm's, I will just consider this map a figment of your collective imaginations. :heee:

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The best things in life, aren't things.

The mosaic is ready (beta).

You can find it here

DrGlass: said:
The mosaic is ready (beta).

You can find it here

HOT DOG!

Edit: Doc fixed it.

Works fine and I must say WELL DONE!

It flowed well and I liked the ideas!
Anyone want to host?

I have my niggles, but I will sit on them for now. I will do a proper critique later however.

Right now all I am gonna stress is, this is NOT a prefab factory guys. Stop relying on statics and such to give your area character. 99% of what I saw was disappointingly full of props. Architecture, stress architecture. The engine can handle so freaking much of it. If any one of you submits a box filled with props, you are letting the entire team down.

/sagely advice.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

/me is guilty.

Well -- I think this map is still in the beta stages and before we go
hosting this and referring to it as a finished product I think we
should go through and critique each others areas so that we can all
improve. Orph pointed out the biggest problem with the mosaic
work so far.

I'll be sure to post what I think about other areas in the stickied map thread.

Orpheus said:
I have my niggles, but I will sit on them for now. I will do a proper critique later however.

Right now all I am gonna stress is, this is NOT a prefab factory guys. Stop relying on statics and such to give your area character. 99% of what I saw was disappointingly full of props. Architecture, stress architecture. The engine can handle so freaking much of it. If any one of you submits a box filled with props, you are letting the entire team down.

/sagely advice.

I strongly disagree with Orphus, he is an old school mapper, and not hip to the new ways things work. If you look at 99% of the HL2 game the world is 80% prop and 5% skybox and the rest static mapping. The use of props if used correctly is a beneifit to you and makes the world come alive.. but if over done can look cheep and shoddy.
But then again I also agree with Orphus as well, a box is a box reguardless of what is in it.. If you make a area like Orph has pictured in another thread, even in "no-texture" white it looks damn cool, and thats before prop one is placed. So try and mix the two together, have your great architecture, and use your props to fill in.. and if you can use some of the Architecture props to help out.. there can be a good mix of both, with out relying on either to get the job done.